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The 2009 Survey of the Dragonflies and Damselflies of
Catoctin Mountain Park (Frederick County, MD)
Richard Orr
Mid-Atlantic Invertebrate Field Studies
www.marylandinsects.com
(410) 730-7290
5215 Durham Rd East
Columbia, Maryland, 21044
Eastern Least Clubtail – Owens Creek – July 14, 2009
January 20, 2010
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ABSTRACT: A survey for dragonflies and damselflies took place in 2009. All of the wetlands of Catoctin Mountain Park (CMP) were sampled including Owens Creek, Big Hunting Creek, Lantz Marsh, Round Meadow Lagoon, Sawmill Pond and Hog Rock Seep. Adults,
exuvia, and larvae were included in the survey. In total, twenty-eight (28) species of dragonflies and damselflies were found to utilize
habitats within the Park. Two species (Sable Clubtail & Southern Pygmy Clubtail) are of conservation importance due to rarity in Maryland. Data from each individual odonate encountered including date, location, and other relevant information were summarized
into an EXCEL database for current and future data manipulation. In addition, the CMP information was augmented with data
collected from a multi-year Maryland Department of Natural Resources survey covering all sections of the Catoctin Mountains that occur within Maryland. A resulting Catoctin Mountain EXCEL Data File was produced.
ACKNOWLEGMENTS:
This survey would not have been possible without the cooperation and encouragement of the National Park Service. Becky Loncosky
and Sean Denniston of the Resources Staff at Catoctin Mountain Park were very helpful in introducing me to the various wetlands
within the Park and answering my many questions. Also, of significant importance were Jim Sherald and Diane Pavek of the National
Capital Region for their support in securing the project.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction ……………………………………………………………… 4
Methods ……………………………………………………………… 5
Results ……………………………………………………………… 6-8
Table 1: LIST OF THE DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES OF CMP ……… 6
Table 2: MARYLAND STATE LISTED ODONATES OF CMP ……… 7
Table 3: LARVAL HABITATS AND LOCATIONS WITHIN CMP ……… 7
Table 4: LIST OF ADULTS BY NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SEEN AND DATE 8
Discussion ……………………………………………………………… 9-14
BIG HUNTING CREEK UPPER SECTION ……… 9
BIG HUNTING CREEK LOWER SECTION ……… 10
OWENS CREEK UPPER SECTION ……… 11
OWENS CREEK LOWER SECTION INCLUDING LANTZ MARSH ……… 12
ROUND MEADOW LAGOON ……… 12
SAWMILL POND ……… 13
HOG ROCK SEEP ……… 14
Literature Cited ………………………………………………………. 15
APPENDIX 1: Voucher Specimens ………………………………. 16
APPENDIX 2: Mushroom and Slime Mold additions
to Catoctin Mountain Park List ..…………………. 17
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INTRODUCTION:
The Catoctin Mountains are the easternmost ridge of the Blue Ridge Province (Means,
1995). The National Park Service manages the 5,810 acres of Catoctin Mountain Park
(CMP) in Maryland. Catoctin Mountain Park contains two large streams Big Hunting
Creek and Owens Creek and an assortment of additional small wetland habitats.
Odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) comprise a significant faunal component of
aquatic environments within the mid-Atlantic region. Based on their diversity and life
histories, odonates serve as excellent indicators of the health of aquatic environments.
Changes in aquatic environments are reflected quickly by changes in the species
composition of odonates, i.e., at a much faster rate than can be monitored for most other
plant or animal groups. Odonates also are of increasing interest for amateur naturalists
(e.g., birders). For these reasons, odonates are among the parks most important resources
ecologically, scientifically, and educationally.
Odonate species are currently at risk from a number of environmental threats, both from
habitat destruction and contamination. During emergence, dragonflies are especially
vulnerable to biocides because their exoskeletons have yet to harden which would
otherwise provide a level of protection (Corbet, 1999). The risk from biocides has
recently increased, because of the current concern about gypsy moth and potential West
Nile virus control programs within the region. Other risks include the more routine use
of biocides needed for day-to-day operations or for controlling invasive plant species.
There is the potential that inappropriate timed pesticide releases might pose a risk to
odonates in general and to state listed rare, threatened, and endangered species in
particular. This study identifies the rare odonates in the Park and provides the emergence
times and locations of these species. This information can help determine the best times
and locations for applying biocides to avoid adverse effects on these state-listed rare
insects.
A year long survey was conducted by the Mid-Atlantic Invertebrate Field Studies
(MAIFS, 2010) of the dragonflies and damselflies of Catoctin Mountain Park. The
resulting baseline data provided from the survey of this important aquatic indicator group
provides much needed data for recording future change in the Catoctin Mountain streams
due to biocides, nature disturbance (e.g. fire), invasive species, or climate change.
The information within this report provides the National Park Service with an additional
tool to use when developing an ecosystem approach to management. A baseline survey of
odonate species helps provide the biological information needed for the conservation,
planning, and management of the Park’s freshwater aquatic ecosystems.
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METHODS:
Field excursions were organized to provide maximum coverage of Owens Creek, Big
Hunting Creek, their tributaries and a small number of other wetland sites at CMP at
different times of the year and under various weather conditions. Full-day field trips in
2009 were conducted on March 12, April 9, April 27, May 7, May 19, May 24, June 1,
June 7, June 25, July 3, July 4, July 8, July 14, August 7, August 14, September 7,
September 14 and September 25.
Field data were based on the identification of imagoes (adults), larvae and exuvia (the
cast skin remains left by emerging adults). Collecting was necessary, but was kept to a
minimum. With very few exceptions, mature adults were identified by using binoculars
or by capturing and releasing individuals using an insect net. Adults were collected only
if they have significant scientific value (a new distribution record, hybrids, variants, etc.)
or in those rare situations where final identification had to be done in the laboratory. All
collected and labeled specimens were deposited with the NPS at the end of the study.
Data from each individual odonate encountered during the study including date, location,
and other relevant information was collected. The summation of all relevant data was
entered into an EXCEL database for current and future data manipulation. A historical
search of previous odonata records from CMP was completed but no additional records
were found. The CMP information was augmented with data collected from a multi-year
Maryland survey covering the sections of the Catoctin Mountains that fall outside of the
Park. The odonate information for the complete Catoctin Mountain region within
Maryland is summarized in an EXCEL database (Orr, 2009).
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RESULTS:
The results of the 2009 survey are summarized in Table 1 through Table 4.
Table 1 provides a complete list of the twenty-seven (27) odonate species found at
Catoctin Mountain Park during the 2009 survey. Although a historical literature search
was completed no earlier records of odonata species were found recorded for the Park.
Table 1: LIST OF THE DRAGONFLIES & DAMSELFLIES OF CMP
Damselflies Family Genus Species
Ebony Jewelwing Calopterygidae Calopteryx maculata
Northern Spreadwing Lestidae Lestes australis
Violet Dancer Coenagrionidae Argia fumipennis
Powdered Dancer Coenagrionidae Argia moesta
Blue-tipped Dancer Coenagrionidae Argia tibialis
Dusky Dancer Coenagrionidae Argia translata
Familiar Bluet Coenagrionidae Enallagma civile
Fragile Forktail Coenagrionidae Ischnura posita
Dragonflies:
Ashy Clubtail Gomphidae Gomphus lividus
Sable Clubtail Gomphidae Gomphus rogersi
Dragonhunter Gomphidae Hagenius brevistylus
Southern Pygmy Clubtail Gomphidae Lanthus vernalis
Eastern Least Clubtail Gomphidae Stylogomphus albistylus
Shadow Darner Aeshnidae Aeshna umbrosa
Common Green Darner Aeshnidae Anax junius
Swamp Darner Aeshindae Epiaeschna heros
Twin-spotted Spiketail Cordulegastridae Cordulegaster maculata
Brown Spiketail Cordulegastridae Cordulegaster bilineata
Prince Baskettail Corduliidae Epicordulia princeps
Mocha Emerald Corduliidae Somatochlora linearis
Eastern Pondhawk Libellulidae Erythemis simplicicollis
Common Whitetail Libellulidae Libellula lydia
Blue Dasher Libellulidae Pachydiplax longipennis
Wandering Glider Libellulidae Pantala flavescens
Spot-winged Glider Libellulidae Pantala hymenaea
Autumn Meadowhawk Libellulidae Sympetrum vicinum
Carolina Saddlebags Libellulidae Tramea carolina
Table 2 lists the four species of odonata found at CMP that are listed by the state of
Maryland as of conservation concern.
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Table 2: MARYLAND STATE LISTED ODONATES OF CMP
Gomphus rogersi Gomphidae S2 = State Threatened
Lanthus vernalis Gomphidae S2 = State Threatened
Cordulegaster bilineata Cordulegastridae S3 = State watch list
Somatochlora linearis Corduliidae S3 = State watch list
Table 3 provides the location of larval habitats identified during the study. The life style
column gives information on how the larvae normally exist within that environment. The
life style information was obtained from Tennessen, 2008.
Table 3: LARVAL HABITATS AND LOCATIONS WITHIN CMP
GENUS SPECIES HABITAT OWENS CREEK BHC* RML* SMP* HRS*
LIFE
STYLE**
Calopteryx maculata Streams YES YES C
Lestes australis Ponds YES C
Argia fumipennis Slow Streams YES C, S
Argia moesta Streams YES C, S
Argia tibialis Streams YES C, S
Argia translata Streams YES C, S
Enallagma civile Ponds, Slow Streams YES C
Ischnura posita
Standing or
slow moving water YES YES YES YES YES C
Gomphus lividus Stream YES B
Gomphus rogersi Stream YES B
Hagenius brevistylus Stream YES S
Lanthus vernalis Stream YES B
Stylogomphus albistylus Stream YES YES B (active)
Aeshna umbrosa Slow Streams YES C
Anax junius Ponds, Pools YES YES C
Epiaeschna heros Swamps YES C, S
Cordulegaster maculata Streams YES YES B, S
Cordulegaster bilineata Streams YES B, S
Epicordulia princeps Ponds YES C, S
Somatochlora linearis Stream YES S
Erythemis simplicicollis Ponds, Swamps, Pools YES S
Libellula lydia
Ponds, Pools,
Swamps YES YES S
Pachydiplax longipennis Ponds, Pools, Swamps YES YES S
Sympetrum vicinum Ponds YES S, C
* KEY: ** KEY:
BHC = Big Hunting Ck B = Burrower
RML = Round Meadow Lagoon
S = Sprawler
SMP = Sawmill Pond C - Climber
HRS = Hog Rock Seep
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Table 4 provides the dates and numbers of adult odonates (including cast skins) recorded
during the 2009 survey.
Table 4: LIST OF ADULTS BY NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SEEN AND DATE
GENUS SPECIES 27-Apr
19-May
24-May
1-Jun
7-Jun
25-Jul 3-Jul 4-Jul
14-Jul
7-Aug
14-Aug
14-Sep
25-Sep SUM
Calopteryx maculata 2 2 3 4 9 6 26
Lestes australis 1 1
Argia fumipennis 1 4 5
Argia moesta 1 12 13
Argia tibialis 4 4
Argia translata 9 9
Enallagma civile 1 1
Ischnura posita 3 6 6 3 2 20
0
Gomphus lividus 1 2 3
Gomphus rogersi 1 1
Hagenius brevistylus 1 1
Lanthus vernalis 6 1 7
Stylogomphus albistylus 20 5 3 3 31
Aeshna umbrosa 1 1
Anax junius 1 1 2 4 8
Epiaeschna heros 1 1 1 1 1 5
Cordulegaster maculata 0
Cordulegaster bilineata 0
Epicordulia princeps 1 1
Somatochlora linearis 1 1
Erythemis simplicicollis 1 1
Libellula lydia 3 1 3 6 2 15
Pachydiplax longipennis 1 2 3
Pantala flavescens 1 1
Pantala hymenaea 2 2
Sympetrum vicinum 1 1 9 11
Tramea carolina 1 1
SUM: SUM: SUM: SUM: SUM: SUM: SUM: SUM: SUM: SUM: SUM: SUM: SUM: SUM:
1 9 1 13 12 25 8 3 21 11 37 15 16 172
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DISCUSSION:
Catoctin Mountain Park’s two major streams (Big Hunting Creek & Owens Creek)
provided the most unique and highest diversity of dragonflies and damselflies found
within the Park. Other wetland habitats such as the smaller tributaries, numerous seeps
and an artificial settling pond were less productive. The Park lacks the required geology
that easily forms permanent ponds and marshes. Most of the seeps and smaller tributaries
retain water in wet years but fail to do so in years that experience seasonal dry spells.
The lack of high-quality, permanent, still-water habitats restricted the number of pond-
loving dragonflies and damselflies species within the Park.
Still a small number of pond odonates did utilize the slow-moving, low-gradient sections
of Big Hunting Creek and Owens Creek either in back eddies or where the stream had
been backed-up due to log falls.
Three species of migratory dragonflies were observed that likely do not complete their
life cycles within the Park but utilize the Park during migration for feeding and shelter at
night. These were the Wandering Glider, Spot-winged Glider and Black Saddlebag.
BIG HUNTING CREEK UPPER SECTION Big Hunting Creek from where it enters the west end of the Park down to the falls was
the only location within the Park where Maryland listed threatened dragonfly species
were found (See Tables 2, 3 and 4). The Sable Clubtail (S2-rank) and the Southern
Pygmy Clubtail (S2-rank) require permanent clean water streams. The Southern Pygmy
Clubtail was expected since it can be found throughout the Catoctin Mountains in clean
unaltered streams, but the Sable Clubtail was an unexpected and unique find. The finding
this year of the Sable Clubtail at CMP was the first time it has been found in Central
Maryland and the only location of this species currently known from Maryland’s Catoctin
Mountains.
The Southern Pygmy
Clubtail larvae utilize
small sand pockets
that form behind
(downstream) of
rocks and boulders
within the stream.
The Sable Clubtail
larvae also utilizes a
sand substrate but
requires larger
patches and thus were
found where Big
Hunting Creek’s
gradient was the
lowest. Big Hunting Creek at a Sable Clubtail location – April 27, 2009
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When silt starts to accumulate at the bottom of the stream both the Southern Pygmy
Clubtail and the Sable Clubtail are replaced by the Eastern Least Clubtail. The Eastern
Least Clubtail is more tolerant of silted stream conditions than either of the two Maryland
threatened species.
The section of Big
Hunting Creek above
the falls maintains
these two species due
to a reduced stream
gradient along its
course and because its
waters have not yet
been modified by
Hunting Creek Lake.
A complete list of
odonate species that
utilize the upper
section of Big
Hunting Creek can be
found in Table 3. Big Hunting Creek emerging Southern Pygmy Clubtail – May 19, 2009
Big Hunting Creek larval Sable Clubtail in aquatic net – April 27, 2009
BIG HUNTING CREEK LOWER SECTION Upon entering the falls Big Hunting Creek leaves CMP and enters Cunningham Falls
State Park. Big Hunting Creek reenters CMP further downstream after the creek has been
diverted through a large reservoir (Hunting Creek Lake). Both of the dragonfly species
of conservation concern (Sable Clubtail and Southern Pygmy Clubtail) have not been
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found in the lower section of the stream despite extensive searches and the presence of
seemingly correct larval habitat (low gradient sections of the stream). The Eastern Least
Clubtail is equally
abundant along both
the upper and lower
sections of Big
Hunting Creek. A list
of the odonate species
that utilize the lower
section of Big
Hunting Creek are the
same as those of the
upper section listed in
Table 3 minus the
Sable Clubtail,
Southern Pygmy
Clubtail and the
Mocha Emerald. Newly emerged Eastern Least Clubtail from Big Hunting Creek – June 25, 2009
It is likely that changes in Big Hunting Creek after it passes through the reservoir are
responsible for the observed reduction in the odonate species utilizing the stream.
However, the reason for this is not known.
OWENS CREEK UPPER SECTION Owens Creek originates within CMP and flows north through forested lands until it
leaves the park (Upper Section). Owens Creek later reenters the northwestern section of
the Park flowing south (Lower Section). The upper section generally flows fast (high
gradient) with little substrate forming that could be utilized by odonate larvae. Where
pockets of substrate were found they were dominated by larvae of the Twin-spotted
Spiketail and the Eastern Least Clubtail. In the few locations where the gradient leveled
out and allowed emergent
grasses to grow along the edges,
Ebony Jewelwings were also
present. Some locations along
the upper section of Owens
Creek appeared suitable for the
threatened Northern Pygmy
Clubtail. However, extensive
searches for this species failed to
find any. It is, based on the
habitat, still possible that it might
be found in the future along this
section of Owens Creek.
Owens Creek near the Sawmill entrance – April 9, 2009
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OWENS CREEK LOWER SECTION INCLUDING LANTZ MARSH
The lower section of Owens Creek is very different than the upper section. The stream
develops a considerable silt-nutrient load outside of the Park and when it encounters low
gradient sections that reduce flow rate, the stream deposits large quantities of silt/mud.
By late summer some sections of
the stream take on nearly pond
like qualities. This allows pond
or slow-moving water-loving
species to establish. This
combination of varying gradients
and substrates along the lower
sections of Owens Creek
produces the highest species
diversity of dragonflies and
damselflies within the Park.
Lower section of Owens Creek – April 9, 2009
Lantz Marsh is a low-gradient section of Owens Creek located where the creek reenters
the Park. Here, more than any other section of the stream, slow-moving water-loving
species have established.
Although the lower section of
Owens Creek may have the
highest diversity of odonate
species in the Park the stream at
the point of reentry is
compromised by its silt and
nutrient load making it unsuitable
for the threatened Sable Clubtail
and Southern Pygmy Clubtail. A
complete listing of the odonates
utilizing Owens Creek as larval
habitat can be seen in Table 3.
Lantz Marsh section of Owens Creek – June 7, 2009
ROUND MEADOW LAGOON
Round Meadow Lagoon is an artificial settling
pond located adjacent to the Round Meadow
building complex. The pond’s water is
nutrient-rich and becomes covered with Duck
Weed during much of the year. This surface
blanket blocks sunlight, resulting in an
absence of subsurface aquatic vegetation and
thus provides only limited damselfly and
dragonfly habitat. Most of the larval
Round Meadow Lagoon and adjacent Cattail site – September 7, 2009
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odonate species development noted in Table 3 for Round Meadow Lagoon actually came
from a very small wetland patch, associated with, but separate from the lagoon. In the
Round Meadow Lagoon photograph the location of this site is in the lower left corner
where the cattails can be seen.
The emergence of a Prince
Baskettail from the small
adjacent cattail wetland was
unexpected and probably does
not reflect a viable population of
this dragonfly at this site. The
Prince Baskettail is a large
dragonfly that normally occurs in
large bodies of slow-moving or
non-moving water. This species
occurs in good numbers in
Hunting Creek Lake.
Freshly emerged Prince Baskettail from Round Meadow Lagoon’s adjacent wetland – June 1, 2009
SAWMILL POND Sawmill Pond is a small depression that was created decades ago when a sawmill was in
operation. It was unexpected that only a single species of odonate (Fragile Forktail) was
found to complete its
life cycle at this
location in 2009. It is
likely that this wetland
is temporary and
undergoes complete
drying during some
years. This would
explain why additional
dragonfly and
damselfly species were
not utilizing this
location for completing
their life cycles. Sawmill Pond – July 3, 2009
More interesting was the small inlet stream into Sawmill Pond. This rivulet had short
sections of a clean sand-bottom where Brown Spiketail larvae were found. This was the
only location in the Park were this Maryland Watch-list species was found but it is
reasonable to assume that other like-habitat sites exist within the Park.
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HOG ROCK SEEP Hog Rock Seep is an interesting
swamp-like wetland located in an
isolated rocky location in the
uplands near Hog Rock Lookout.
This seep also likely dries up
during dry years (as does the
adjacent streams) and thus its
attractiveness as an odonate
larval habitat was limited.
Fragile Forktails dominated the
wetland but were the only
damselfly found to do so.
Hog Rock Seep – July 8, 2009
A number of downed branches (logs) within Hog Rock Seep also provided the swamp-
like habitat and oviposition needs
(wet wood) for the Swamp
Darner to utilize. The Swamp
Darner and the Fragile Forktail
were the only two species found
completing life cycles within
Hog Rock Seep. It should be
noted that the Swamp Darner is
the largest odonate in Maryland
while the Fragile Forktail is one
of the smallest. Yet both found
that this site met their life-cycle
requirements. Female Swamp Darner ovipositing in wet wood at Hog Rock Seep – June 1, 2009
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LITERATURE CITED:
Corbet P.S. 1999. Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata. Comstock Publishing Associates. pages 829.
MAIFS, 2010. Mid-Atlantic Invertebrate Field Studies website: www.marylandinsects.com
Means, 1995. Maryland’s Catoctin Mountain Parks. McDonald & Woodward Publishing Company. Blacksburg
Virginia, 168 pages.
Orr, R.L. 2009. Odonates of the Catoctins. Microsoft Excel Worksheet maintained for the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources
Tennessen, K.L. 2008. Odonata. Chapter 12 in the Fourth Edition of Aquatic Insects of North American edited by
R.W. Merritt, K.W. Cummings and M.B. Berg. pages 237-294
Powdered Dancer – Owens Creek – August 14, 2009
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APPENDIX 1: Voucher Specimens
Reference Specimens (Collected)
Gomphus rogersi 3-larvae from Big Hunting Creek 27-April-2009
Lanthus vernalis 3-adult males from Big Hunting Creek 19-May-2009
Reference Specimens (Photographed)
DRAGONFLIES:
Gomphus lividus cast skin at Owens Creek 7-June-2009
Gomphus rogersi cast skin from Big Hunting Creek 1-June-2009
Gomphus rogersi larvae at Big Hunting Creek 27-April-09
Lanthus vernalis emerging adult at Big Hunting Creek 19-May-2009
Stylogomphus albistylus adult at Owens Creek 3-July-2009 & 14-July-2009
Stylogomphus albistylus adult at Big Hunting Creek 25-June-2009
Epiaeschna heros adult ovipositing at Hog Rock Seep 1-June-2009
Epicordulia princeps adult at Round Meadow Lagoon 1-June-2009
Sympetrum vicinum adult at Big Hunting Creek 7-August-2009
DAMSELFLIES:
Calopteryx maculata adult at Big Hunting Creek 7-August-2009
Argia moesta adult at Owens Creek 14-August–2009
Argia translata adult at Owens Creek 14-August-2009
Argia tibialis adult at Owens Creek 14-July-2009
Ischnura posita adult at Owens Creek 7-June-2009
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APPENDIX 2: Mushroom and Slime Mold additions to Catoctin Mountain Park List
The 2009 spring season was on the wet side. Although, it made for a tough dragonfly
season (dry is much better) it was great for mushrooms. No attempt was made to identify
all mushrooms found, but each visit usually resulted in one or more of the conspicuous
mushrooms being taken for a spore print and microscopic spore identification. The
following list includes only those mushrooms that were not listed in the survey conducted
by Penn State Mont alto in 2006 and thus are newly recorded for the Park
Amanita banningiana (No common name)
Clavaria vericularis (White Worm Coral)
Clavulinopsis fusiformis (Spindle-Shaped Coral)
Formetopsis pinicola (Red-Banded Polypore)
Fuligo septica (Scrambled Egg Slime)
Gandoderma lucidum (Ling Chih)
Globiformis graveolens (Sweet Knot)
Lycogala epidendrum (Wolf Milk Slime)
Lycoperdon perlatum (Gem-Studded Puffball)
Mycena leaiana (Golden Fairy-Helmet)
Russula aeruginea (Tacky Green Russula)
Russula silvicola (No common name)
Stemonitis species (Pipe Cleaner Slime)
Tricholomopsis platyphylla (Platterful Mushroom)
Xeromphalina campanella (Fuzzy Foot)
Gandoderma lucidum (mushroom) and Megalodacne heros (beetle) Stemonitis species – August 7, 2009 June 1, 2009